MASTERTON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3803, 13 May 1873, Page 3

MASTERTON.

(from our own correspondent). Great excitement prevails amongst the natives of Taueru and this district. Two or three of the principal grandees, or elite of the noble savage, are vicing with one another in preparing for an enormous feed or Hakari, which is already at this early stage assuming very large proportions. Amongst the viands are — flour, tea, sugar, rice, tobacco, and other native products in abundance, and of horses, eels, greenstones, and of all other native ornaments considered indispensable to adorn the poles and walls of a Hakari. Legion is their name, not forgetting the fiery fiend rum, which is being provided in galore ; for without it any native meeting would prove very tame, and void of interest. It has the effect of bringing forth their good qualities, not to mention their bad ones. Eloquence, and pathos, and the better feelings of the aboriginal are produced after sundry libations of the demon fluid. After such a display of property and lavish set out of victuals they will be beggared for the remainder of the winter, and will live for a time in obscurity and remorse, but only to recruit their strength and replensh their purses, when they will again appear like giants refreshed with wine to commit the same follies as their fathers did before them. The affair is expected to be- the scene of attraction for whites as well their sable brothers. It is safe to predict a few deaths from such a gorge, for such is the sad effects of all these large gatherings. An accident of rather a serious nature occurred to a team of bullocks .near Castle Point. When between Whakataki and Pakowai the dray and team capsized over a steep bank, killing four of the six bullocks which comprised the team. They were the property of Mr Pickett, of the Whakataki. Two men at the Scandinavian settlement — one an emigrant and the other a roadman — had their feet severely cut with axes whilst working on the road. Dr Smith was sent for, and he administered to the sufferers, wh<? s I hear, are progressing very favorably. It is said on good authority to be the intention of the General Government to provide a schoolmaster for the emig.-ant children, and who is to be Btationed at Mauriceville. Some liltle misunderstanding occurred at Tutaekara amongst the natives in that • quarter, which began to assume alarming - features, but through the exertions and ; pluck of Mr Munro, the engineer, anything serious was averted. He had to f call a meeting, and fully explained the l cause relating to the fracas, which arose from the fact of a deviation of the road > from its former direction, by which alter- > ation the native reserve woxild be con-

siderably deteriorated, but the whole was caused by a few disaffected parties who failed to put in an appearance at the meeting. Probably they were of the opinion that " conscience makes cowards of us all." However, the whole affair is now amicably settled, and the victors intend having a gala day and good feed to commemorate the victory gained over the vanquished.